1. Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent? Together? Boro fans were in shock when the teamsheet was pinned up as Boro boss Aitor Karanka threw a curveball and included both strikers in his starting XI at Ewood Park.

All eyes were on how the pair would link up, whether it would be a 4-4-2 or if Nugent would drop just behind Rhodes in the Boro attack. It looked like it was more of a 4-4-1-1 in truth, with Albert Adomah and Stewart Downing much deeper than the front two.

The front duo started off well, working in tandem, but as the game progressed the gap between midfield and attack continued to stretch. There's potential with Nugent and Rhodes together, but it will be a work in progress.

3. Adam Forshaw gave Boro a lifeline late on, and he was Boro's best performer by some distance at Ewood Park. With captain Grant Leadbitter limping off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, it looks like the Liverpudlian could well have an extended spell in the team in the future too.

He has been a breath of fresh air of late, stepping effortlessly into Adam Clayton's shoes as he served a two-match ban. Forshaw, on current form, deserves to be one of the first names on Boro's teamsheet.

Gaston Ramirez

4. As Boro struggled to link up midfield and attack, the game cried out for Gaston Ramirez. The Uruguay international came on in the second half and did make an impact, but it was a surprise to see him replace Stewart Downing on the left flank.

I expected either Nugent or Rhodes to be sacrificed for the Southampton loanee, with him taking up his more familiar No 10 role. In the end, Boro's tactics didn't quite come off at Ewood Park - and finding a way to link up midfield and attack must be a priority in the coming days.

Blackburn players celebrate

5. It probably wasn't a shock result, given what has happened in the Championship this season. Boro had a real off-night, yes, and missed the chance to move top of the Championship table. But it remains all in their hands.

After the match, Karanka was left baffled as to why it took his side "75 or 85 minutes to wake up" - but added that the promotion race will go down right to the wire in May.